Glycolysis Process

Power in anaerobic conditions represents an expression of strength at speed (strength/speed = power) measured in Watts (W) (Draper and Marshall, 2014). Glycolysis is a 10-step process in which the breakdown/catabolism of glucose occurs to synthesize/produce ATP (Adenosine Tri phosphate) otherwise known as energy for the body. Glycolysis produces a lot of power and is the predominant energy system for maximal effort lasting between 30 seconds to 2 minutes (Karp, 2009). It has been estimated in a study by Baker, McCormick and Robergs (2010) that over a 30 second sprint glycolysis accounts for 49% of energy production, and over a 10 second sprint 44%. During a single short sprint (5-6 second) Glaister (2005) states that ATP is resynthesized from

The accumulation of lactate in the cells, increases the acidity (decrease in pH) with the cell environment, which can have detrimental effects on performance, such as reducing muscle contractibility, and muscle fatigue (Stackhouse, Reisman and Binder-Macleod, 2001). Muscle fatigue can result in a decrease in performance, and anaerobic factors such as speed and power. However, lactate is also beneficial to metabolism during high-intensity exercise as it removes pyruvate allowing the body to sustain a higher-rate of glycolysis and ATP production (Baker et al, 2010). Lactate measure in the blood is also a good indication of glycolytic activity during exercise (Hermansen, 1971). Lactate however, has not been the only cause of muscle fatigue researchers have suggested, with Gleister (2005) stating that several authors propose a link between aerobic fitness and fatigue during multiple sprint work. Sahlin (1992) has also suggested that a common metabolic factor of muscle fatigue is a reduced capacity to generate ATP, and that near maximal power output can be obtained in acidotic conditions, he proposes that an increased acidity may reduce the glycolytic rate and therefore energy supply, instead of limiting muscle contractibility. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of fatigue on speed and

Based on the finding, it appears there was a significant statistical difference in time between run 1 5.75 (0.56) and run 6 6.25 (0.74) with a rise in time of 0.5 seconds, and a significant statistical difference of P = 0.001. The findings also show a significant statistical difference for Power between run 1 555.19 (228.19) and run 6 446.22 (221.78). With a drop in power of 108.97 Watts, over the six 35 meter sprints, and a significant statistical difference of P = 0.000. These findings suggest that fatigue did have an effect on the participants performance over the six 35 meter sprints, with significant differences being found in their run 1 and run 6 scores for Power and Speed. What we are unsure of though is what caused this fatigue. It Many studies completed under similar conditions have found rises in blood lactate levels after exercise (Balsom, Seger, Sjodin and Ekblom, 1992) which indicates this could play apart in fatigue. Other studies have suggested that the increased pH levels can decrease Ca 2+ release and its sensitivity to troponin affecting the amount of force a muscle fibre can produce (Stackhouse et al, 2001). Relatedly Chin and Allen (1998) observed that more Ca 2+ would be needed during fatigue, to produce the same force produced when not fatigued. Organic Phosphate (Pi) has recently been suggested as a cause for muscle fatigue, as an increased Pi concentration,